Product Design Engineer in Crawley

Product Design Engineer in Crawley

Crawley Full-Time 35000 - 45000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Unum

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design and develop innovative aircraft seating products from concept to manufacture.
  • Company: Join Unum Aircraft Seating, a startup redefining premium air travel comfort.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 5 weeks holiday, hybrid working, and employee discounts.
  • Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for career growth and innovation.
  • Why this job: Make a real-world impact in the aircraft seating industry with cutting-edge designs.
  • Qualifications: Degree in Product Design Engineering or similar, with CAD experience.

The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.

  • Description
  • ✈️ We’re Hiring: Product Design Engineer
  • 📍 Crawley, West Sussex (Hybrid) | 🕒 Full-time, Permanent

At Unum Aircraft Seating, we’re redefining what premium air travel feels like.

Our smart, adaptable, lie-flat seating solutions are trusted by airlines to deliver exceptional passenger comfort — and we’re just getting started.

Don’t miss your opportunity to join our team of fantastic innovators who together combine engineering expertise with exceptional design to meet the highest safety, comfort, and efficiency standards for commercial aircraft.

We are redefining business class comfort with our smart, adaptable, and reliable aircraft seating design.

Unum Aircraft Seating; Reliably comfortable, responsibly made.

We’re now hiring for a

Product Design Engineer to join our growing Engineering team and help bring our next-generation aircraft seating products from concept to reality.

🚀 Why Join Unum?

  • Be part of a growing, ambitious startup environment changing the aircraft seating industry
  • Work on premium products with real-world impact
  • A culture built on collaboration, sustainability, and quality

Fantastic benefits including

  • Competitive salary
  • 5 weeks holiday + bank holidays
  • Early finish on Fridays 🎉
  • Flexible start and finish times
  • Hybrid working options
  • Three attractive pension scheme options
  • Electric car & cycle-to-work schemes
  • Access to employee discounts and wellbeing platform
  • 🔧What you will be doing as a Product Design Engineer at Unum

As a key member of our Engineering team, you’ll

  • Design and develop innovative aircraft seating products from concept through to manufacture.
  • Create detailed 3D CAD models and drawings (primarily in Solid Works).
  • Work hands-on with manufacturing to ensure designs are robust, buildable, and certifiable.
  • Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, and certification teams to solve real-world challenges.
  • Support configuration control and product data within our PLM system (3DX).
  • Play an active role in design reviews and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • What we Look For in our Product Design Engineers

You’ll bring

  • A degree in Product Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or similar.
  • Solid experience with CAD (ideally Solid Works) — parts, assemblies, and drawings.
  • A strong grounding in mechanical design, materials, and manufacturing processes.
  • A genuine interest in aircraft interiors, seating, or engineered products.
  • A proactive, problem-solving mindset and great communication skills.
  • The ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and meet project deadlines

Bonus points for

  • Experience in a manufacturing or regulated engineering environment.
  • Exposure to PLM systems (3DX or similar).
  • Familiarity with FEA or simulation tools.
  • Aerospace / aircraft interiors seating industry experience (not essential!).

Don’t miss your chance to be considered and progress your Engineering career, apply now so we can find out more about you!

Unum Aircraft Seating is an equal opportunities employer.

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where diversity is valued and respected.

We encourage applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of background.

All applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Proof of eligibility will be required prior to commencing employment.

At Unum, we’re dedicated to creating a welcoming environment for all applicants and a first-class candidate experience.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during your interview process, please let us know.

Please note that applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and we may close the vacancy early if sufficient suitable applications are received.

Product Design Engineer in Crawley employer: Unum

Unum is an excellent employer that fosters a collaborative and supportive work culture, particularly for those in the Actuarial Risk and Capital team. With a hybrid work environment in Dorking, employees benefit from competitive salaries, performance incentives, and extensive support services, alongside opportunities for professional growth and development in the actuarial field.

Unum

Contact Details:

Unum Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Product Design Engineer in Crawley

Join Aerospace Forums and Groups

Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.

Attend Industry Conferences

Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.

Spotlight Your Projects

Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!

Apply Directly on Company Websites

When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with Unum for a Product Design Engineer. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!

We think you need these skills to ace Product Design Engineer in Crawley

3D CAD Modelling
SolidWorks
Mechanical Design
Materials Knowledge
Manufacturing Processes
Problem-Solving Skills
Communication Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Unum, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!

Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.

Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At Unum, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.

Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.

How to prepare for a job interview at Unum

Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge

Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with Unum.

Showcase Your Projects with Confidence

Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.

Prepare for Technical Interviews

Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with Unum. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.

Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills

As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like Unum love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.